Lastly, Although his vow run generally for the words, Whatsoever shall come forth, etc. Yet might it be restrained in the sense, for whatsoever was sacrificable, and justly subject to lawful immolation: and so would not have sacrificed either Horse or Dog, if they had come out upon him. Nor was he obliged by oath unto a strict observation of that which promissorily was unlawful; or could he be qualified by vow to commit a fact which naturally was abominable. Which doctrine had _Herod_ understood, it might have saved _John Baptists_ head; when he promised by oath to give unto _Herodias_ whatsoever she would ask; that is, if it were in the compass of things, which he could lawfully grant. For his oath made not that lawful which was illegal before: and if it were unjust to murther _John_, the supervenient Oath did not extenuate the fact, or oblige the Juror unto it. Now the ground at least which much promoted the opinion, might be the dubious words of the text, which contain the sense of his vow; most men adhering unto their common and obvious acception. Whatsoever shall come forth of the doors of my house shall surely be the Lords, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. Now whereas it is said, _Erit Jehovæ, et offeram illud holocaustum_, the word signifying both _et_ and _aut_, it may be taken disjunctively; _aut offeram_, that is, it shall either be the Lords by separation, or else, an holocaust by common oblation; even as our marginal translation advertiseth; and as _Tremellius_ rendreth it, _Erit inquam Jehovæ, aut offeram illud holocaustum_: and for the vulgar translation, it useth often _et_, where _aut_ must be presumed, as _Exod._ 21. _Si quis percusserit patrem et matrem_, that is, not both, but either. There being therefore two waies to dispose of her, either to separate her unto the Lord, or offer her as a sacrifice, it is of no necessity the later should be necessary; and surely less derogatory unto the sacred text and history of the people of God, must be the former. CHAPTER XV Of the Picture of _John_ the Baptist.